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OFFICIATING

Certification Program

Officials Certification Program

The Officials Certification Program consists of five levels for Referees and Starters, three levels for Competitor Steward, Meet Coordinators, Timers, Finish Line Judges, Announcers, Recorders, and all other officials.
Each level has specific technical, practical and performance requirements.
  • The technical requirements include attendance at a clinic of the appropriate level (please refer to          Specific Certification Requirements).
  • The practical requirements include officiating at the appropriate number of non-sanctioned and              sanctioned competitions (please refer to Specific Certification Requirements) as either an assistant         or chief official.
  • The performance requirements include a satisfactory evaluation from the chief official or Senior Branch Official, a documented recommendation from the Branch and a review and approval from the Branch and/or SSC ODC.
Responsibilities for certification are as follows:

a) Certification at Levels 1 and 2 is the responsibility of the Branch. Certification should follow the OCP requirements.

b) Certification at Levels 3B (SSC sanctioned meets) and 3A (National Age Class Championships/ Junior Trials) is the responsibility of SSC.

c) Certification at Level 4 (International Competitions, including ISU sanctioned Can-Am competitions, Senior Trials) and Level 5 (World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Games) is the responsibility of both the SSC and the I.S.U.

To view Specific Certification requirements:
  • Referees and Starters (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  • Competitors Stewards (Levels 4 and 5)
  • Meet Coordinators (Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4) 
  • Recorders, Timers, Finish Line Judges, Announcers, and all other officials (Levels 1, 2 and 3)

Referees and Starters

Certification requirements for Referees and Starters (Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) are as follows:

a) Certification as a Level 1 official shall require attendance at a Level 1 clinic, satisfactory evaluation from Chief Referee/Starter, review and approval from Branch and being an assistant at one or more non-sanctioned meet and one or more SSC sanctioned meet (province or regional level).

b) Certification as a Level 2 official shall require attendance at a Level 2 clinic, satisfactory evaluation from senior Branch Referee/Starter, review and approval from Branch and being a referee/starter at 4 or more non-sanctioned meets and an assistant at 2 or more SSC sanctioned meets (provincial/regional level).

c) Certification as a Level 3B official shall require attendance at a Level 3 clinic, satisfactory performance as a chief official at 4 or more SSC sanctioned provincial/regional meets and satisfactory performance as an assistant at 2 or more SSC sanctioned national/international meets.

d) Certification as a Level 3A official shall require instructing a Level 1 clinic (Referees only), satisfactory performance as a chief official at 4 or more SSC sanctioned provincial/regional meets and satisfactory performance as an assistant at 4 or more SSC sanctioned national/ international meets, supported by at least two comprehensive written assessments made during separate SSC sanctioned national/international meets by different senior officials in the appropriate specialty.

e) Certification as a Level 4 official shall require instructing a Level 2 clinic, attending an I.S.U. clinic, satisfactory performance as a chief official at 4 or more SSC sanctioned national/ international meets and satisfactory performance as an assistant at 1 or more I.S.U. International Competitions. Candidacy for Level 4 certification must be supported by at least two written assessments made by different Level 4 or 5 officials at separate Level 4 competitions that clearly indicate readiness for upgrade.

f) Certification as a Level 5 official shall require instructing a Level 3 clinic, satisfactory performance as a chief official at five or more SSC sanctioned national/international competitions and satisfactory performance as a chief official at one or more I.S.U. International Competitions and, for referees, satisfactory performance as an assistant-referee at two or more major ISU competitions (World Cup or equivalent).

Competitor Stewards

Certification requirements for Competitors Stewards (Levels 4 and 5)* are as follows:

a) Certification as a Level 4 official shall require attending an I.S.U. clinic and satisfactory performance at one or more international meet.

b) Certification as a Level 5 official shall require satisfactory performance at one or more major ISU competition (World Cup or equivalent).

* Please note: In Canada we do not have Levels 1, 2 or 3 Competitor Stewards. Their position is for ISU level competitions only.

Meet Coordinators

Certification requirements for Meet Coordinators (Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4) are as follows:

a) Certification as a Level 1 official shall require attending a Level 1 Clinic, assisting at 1 or more non-sanctioned meets, 1 or more SSC sanctioned meets (provincial/regional level) a satisfactory evaluation from Meet Coordinator and a review and approval from Branch.

b) Certification as a Level 2 official shall require attending a Level 2 Clinic, being a chief official at two or more non-sanctioned meets, being a chief at two or more SSC sanctioned meets (province/ regional level) a satisfactory evaluation from Referee or senior Branch official and a review and approval from Branch.

c) Certification as a Level 3 official shall require instructing a Level I or II clinic, attendance at a Level 3 clinic, satisfactory performance as a chief official at 3 or more SSC sanctioned provincial/regional meets and satisfactory performance as a chief official at 2 or more SSC sanctioned national/international meets.

Recorders, Timers, Finish Line Judges, Announcers and all other officials:

Certification requirements for Recorders, Timers, Finish Line Judges, Announcers, and all other officials (Levels 1, 2 and 3) are as follows:

a) Certification as a Level 1 official shall require attending a Level 1 clinic, assisting at 1 or more non-sanctioned meet, 1 or more SSC sanctioned meet (provincial/regional level), a satisfactory evaluation from the chief official and a review and approval from Branch.

b) Certification as a Level 2 official shall require attending a Level 2 clinic, being a chief official at 2 or more non-sanctioned meets, chief at 2 or more SSC sanctioned meets (provincial/regional level), a satisfactory evaluation from chief official or Senior Branch official and a review and approval from Branch.

c) Certification as a Level 3 official shall require satisfactory performance as a chief official at 3 or more SSC sanctioned provincial/regional meets and satisfactory performance as a chief official at 2 or more SSC sanctioned national/international meets.